The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys is the professional body representing those qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and other intellectual property rights in particular, registered designs both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark attorneys and all UK trade mark and design litigators. ITMA was founded in 1934 by British trade mark professionals to represent their collective goals of ensuring that those practising in trade mark law are qualified to the highest standards, that the importance of trade marks to business is continually promoted and to influence the development of trade mark law at home and abroad. The Institute has approximately 500 practising members. It extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law, to students and to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership is about 1,600, primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe, and in more than 50 other countries. ITMA is regularly consulted by the UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office UKIPO, the EU Community Trade Marks Office OHIM, the World Intellectual Property Organisation WIPO and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. We continue to try and shape trade mark law and practice for the benefit of the trade mark owners. This includes lobbying on proposed changes to law and practice wherever we feel the interests of trade mark owners are likely to be affected. We have an annual meeting with OHIM to discuss practice and keep pressure on our government to work with other states in eradicating counterfeiting. In appreciation of the international aspects of our profession and membership, we host an annual international conference in London each year and an autumn conference in Europe to debate the key developments in trade mark practice around the world. The work of ITMA is administered by its elected officers, a range of committees and a central office manned by permanent staff based in Croydon. The ITMA Review is the Institute’s inhouse publication, which is sent to members monthly.

Address: ITMA Canterbury House, 2-6 Sydenham Rd, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 9XE
Telephone: 044 (0) 20 8686 2052
Website: http://www.itma.org.uk/